This may sound like a dumb question, but how do I safely connect my battery tender to the terminals of my new battery while it's outside of the bike? Normally I connect the negative to the frame of the bike while installed. I want to make sure it's fully charged before installation. Thanks.

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You definitely can. It is bad to set a good battery directly on the ground - place it on a piece of wood or 2x4 or something.

 

I'm not sure I understand the question, maybe?

You plug the charger in and hook the positive lead to the positive post of the battery, and the negative lead to the negative post.

 

Gotchya. Yup, that's just what I needed to know. You got the question right. Then, to charge IN the bike, I understand that you connect the positive clamp of the charger to the positive of the battery and the negative to the frame? Or both to the battery? Or does it make a difference?

 

doesnt make a difference if its to the frame or battery, but its easier to put it strait to the battery so you know you have a good connection.

 

Yep, that's it.

Outsider, the only reason the idea came up to connect it to the frame (or other ground) was to keep any possible sparks away from the battery....especially when you're jumping it.